In this episode, Kate shares invaluable insights for occupational therapists building or growing their private practice. She emphasizes the importance of protective policies and strategic practices that help prevent burnout while maximizing income.

Kate discusses the power of hiring a business manager (or creating a pseudo-role) to manage policies, client communication, and protect your time during challenging situations like cancellations and difficult client interactions. She explains how this simple step can create a safety net, freeing you to focus on providing high-quality therapy.

She also dives into the role of telehealth and flexible policies—from rescheduling to across-platform communication—that promote consistency and collaboration with families while reducing the risk of burnout. Kate highlights the importance of clear cancellation and no-show policies, protective session policies, and constant communication to build trust and ensure your practice runs smoothly.

Finally, Kate encourages therapists to stand confidently in the value of what they do, emphasizing that building a full-coverage, flexible model not only benefits families but also supports your own well-being and long-term success.

Key Takeaways:

• Implement policies that protect your time and income during cancellations and challenging sessions
• Use telehealth and collaboration tools to stay connected and consistent
• The importance of a team/support system—whether real or faux—to strengthen your practice
• Prioritize your well-being and value as a practitioner, because your health directly impacts your clients

If you're ready to elevate your practice, Kate invites you to schedule a coaching session—because you don’t have to do this alone. Get the support you need and build a practice that’s sustainable, impactful, and burnout-free.

Remember: Strong policies, a supportive system, and confidence in your value are the keys to success. Let’s grow together!

• Subscribe to our Grow Together Members where we will send you weekly applicable templates to apply to and GROW your practice!
• Get Your All-In-One Hub for marketing with 180x2 -Course hosting, email list, automations, social management and MORE through my affiliate link! CLICK HERE
• If you are ready for 1:1 help, lets get started with a discovery call! Schedule here!
• Protect Your Practice Through My Affiliate Link HERE - USE CODE KATE for $$ off!
• Get my Resources For Private Practice HERE
• Visit Our Therapy Website for Grow Together Therapy!
• Pay Your Therapists with GUSTO (with my affiliate link :) )

Before The Meltdown: Immediate Action Plan

Host: Kate McCommons, OT and Business Coach

Main Topics Covered:

• Why It’s Too Late at Meltdown:
  Meltdowns are signals of nervous system overload, not misbehavior. The brain’s frontal lobe turns off under stress, making learning and regulation nearly impossible during these moments.
• Understanding the Nervous System Buckets:
  • Sensory Bucket: Input from environment (sounds, sights, touch, movement)
  • Autonomy Bucket: Feeling in control, completing tasks, and making choices
• Overflows in these buckets lead to meltdowns. The goal is to keep both “just right” to maintain regulation.
• Prevention Strategies:
  • Create Expectancy: Use routines, clear plans, and visual cues to help children feel safe and in control.
  • Use Declarative Language: Tell children what you are going to do rather than coax or demand.
  • Visual Supports & Labeling: Photos and labels on drawers or tasks can reduce frustration and aid task completion.
  • Closed-Ended Success Tasks: Short, clear activities with a defined start and end to build confidence and prepare the nervous system for transitions.
  • Model Flexibility: Demonstrate how to handle changes or plans not going as expected to normalize the experience.
• Environmental Considerations:
  Understand your child's sensory profile. Some children thrive in noisy environments; others need calm to focus. Aim to tailor the environment to your child's unique sensory needs. Consult an OT for a sensory profile assessment.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Meltdowns are communication, not misbehavior.
  • Prevention is proactive—address the buckets long before overload occurs.
  • Building safety, predictability, and autonomy helps children regulate better.

Final Encouragement:
Parents and therapists are not behind if meltdowns happen. They are part of communication and processing. By combining sensory and task-based strategies, you can support your child's regulation journey.

Join Next Week:
A parent-led approach to self-regulation for caregivers to better support themselves and their children.

Thank you for listening!
Remember, you are a wonderful parent and therapist. We’re all in this together. Have a fantastic day!

Connect with Kate for more insights and support!

• Subscribe to our Grow Together Members where we will send you weekly applicable templates to apply to and GROW your practice!
• Get Your All-In-One Hub for marketing with 180x2 -Course hosting, email list, automations, social management and MORE through my affiliate link! CLICK HERE
• If you are ready for 1:1 help, lets get started with a discovery call! Schedule here!
• Protect Your Practice Through My Affiliate Link HERE
• Get my Resources For Private Practice HERE
• Visit Our Therapy Website for Grow Together Therapy!

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Grow Together podcast! Today, I take you on a journey of reflection, relaxation, and real talk about business, culture, and self-care. From my recent family cruise—where I hilariously share my sunburn horror story—to profound insights about creating a sustainable business and the importance of culture, I invite you to pause and reevaluate how we nurture ourselves and our businesses.

Tune in as I discuss my weekend unplugged—no wifi, no emails, just waves, palm trees, and plenty of Shirley Temples. I share how stepping back helped me see that my business can thrive even when I’m taking a well-deserved break, emphasizing that sometimes, ‘lateral’ consistency beats constant growth. I reflect on my personal journey of not losing myself in my role as CEO and how important it is to stay true to who you are in both your personal and professional life.

Through heartfelt stories and insights, I explore the power of culture—both within my business and in life—and how the foundational mindset shapes the environment for success. Inspired by a Netflix documentary about OceanGate, I highlight how a toxic culture can be the undoing of even the most innovative endeavors. My message is clear: whether you're starting a practice, growing an existing one, or pursuing a side hustle, it all begins with how you talk to yourself and the culture you create for those around you.

I want to end on an uplifting note: you are capable of more than you realize. The secret to unstoppable success lies in building a culture rooted in authenticity, care, and community—and it all starts today, with you.

Join me as I encourage us all to take the leap, build that culture, and remember—we’re stronger, happier, and more fulfilled when we grow together.

Connect with Kate:
Instagram: @growwithkate_
Website: thegrowwithkateprogram.com

Stay inspired and keep GROWING!

• Subscribe to our Grow Together Members where we will send you weekly applicable templates to apply to and GROW your practice!
• Get Your All-In-One Hub for marketing with 180x2 -Course hosting, email list, automations, social management and MORE! CLICK HERE
• If you are ready for 1:1 help, lets get started with a discovery call! Schedule here!
• Get my Resources For Private Practice HERE
• Visit Our Therapy Website for Grow Together Therapy!